Scheduling

There are two ways to schedule any of the required inspections outlined under the "Inspection Types" tab.

For faster service, we recommend scheduling inspections online by submitting an Inspection Request. Please fill out the form completely and click submit. You will receive an automatic reply that your email has been received.

**Please note, your inspection is not scheduled until you receive a confirmation email with the date from us.

You may also call (302) 858-5500 between the hours of 7:30 to 3:30 Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Before calling to schedule an inspection, please have the following information ready: project application number, 911 address, contact name, and telephone number.

Before requesting any inspection, all "third party" reports such as engineered footing reports, piling blow counts, water proofing certificates, stamped truss repairs, and energy certificate reports must be emailed to our Inspection Office at buildinginspections@sussexcountyde.gov. Application number must be included.

Any requested inspection failing to provide any of the above-mentioned reports will not be scheduled.

Inspection requests will be scheduled for the earliest available business day.

Holiday Schedule

The Sussex County Building Code office is closed for the following holidays in 2024:

New Year's Day, Jan. 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 15
Good Friday, March 29
Memorial Day, May 27
Juneteenth, June 19
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, Sept. 2
Election Day, Nov. 5
Return Day, Nov. 7
Veterans Day, Nov. 11
Thanksgiving, Nov. 28 and Nov. 29
Christmas, Dec. 23, 24, and 25

Please note, there may be days inspections will not be performed due to inclement weather, meetings, training, or other factors. On any of these days, requested inspections will be scheduled for the next business day. Those requesting inspections are asked to give the Building Code Inspection Office at least 48 hours notice in advance of a requested inspection date/time. If you have any questions, please contact the Building Code Inspection Office at (302) 858-5500.

Residential Inspection Requirements

This is a list and descriptions for all possible residential inspections. Please check the Self-Service Portal to confirm which inspections apply to your project.

FOOTING INSPECTION

• To be made prior to placing concrete in forms, trenches, piers, post holes, structural slabs, etc.
• Bottom of all footings must be a minimum of 24” inches below finished grade and a minimum 12” inches below original grade.
• Any re-bar and reinforcement must be tied and in place before placement of concrete. Re-bar is recommended, but not required, unless designed by a Delaware architect or engineer.
• Footings must be free of debris, organic material, and water.
• Concrete shall not be placed on frozen soil.
• Piling foundations will require a “Blow Count” from the pile driving company.
• Pole building footings must meet the following requirements unless designed by a Delaware architect or engineer:
• Buildings UP to 12’ (measured from floor to truss bottom chord) must be a minimum 36” inches below grade.
• Buildings OVER 12’ (measured from floor to truss bottom chord) divide pole height by 4 to equal bottom of footer depth.

PRE-SLAB INSPECTION

• Must have passed previous required inspections and/or third-party inspection reports must be on file before scheduling.
• Required for conditioned areas built on slab on grade.
• 10 mil poly and perimeter insulation installed prior to pouring slab.
• Proof of DE State plumbing inspection MUST be onsite (if applicable).

SETBACK INSPECTION

• Only required when a third-party engineering company performs the footing and/or pre-slab inspections.
• A sealed foundation as-built survey may be submitted in lieu of an inspection and must be on file before a framing inspection can be scheduled.

TRACK INSPECTION

• Required for pre-engineered sunrooms.
• Track installed for floor and/or roof panels.

HEADER INSPECTION

• Pole buildings require a header inspection prior to any exterior or interior wall covering is installed.

HOUSE WRAP INSPECTION

• May be scheduled as a separate inspection, otherwise it will be completed during the framing inspection.
• Windows installed; flashing & house wrap installed as per manufacturer’s specifications.

FRAMING INSPECTION

• Must have passed previous required inspections and/or third-party inspection reports must be on file before scheduling.
• Building is weather-tight (roof covering, house wrap, flashing, windows & doors must be installed).
• Electrical and plumbing inspected with stickers onsite.
• Mechanical ducts and boots installed and sealed.
• Draft stopping and fire blocking completed.
• Basement waterproofing complete and certification provided.
• Certifications for pre-engineered products onsite.
• Framing inspection before exterior covering is installed, unless passed separate house wrap inspection.
• No insulation is to be installed before framing inspection except for flash coat.
• Modulars:
• Plant-built portions of modular homes do not require framing inspection but require a “Close-In” inspection after the units are set and before mating walls have exterior covering installed.
• Site-built portions of a modular home project are still required to have a framing inspection.

ENERGY INSPECTION

• 2018 Energy compliance (“Res-Check”) must be onsite.
• Building envelope sealed from all air drafts.
• All insulation installed.
• Thermal stickers for doors and windows must be in place.
• Modular homes to have all air gaps in mating walls sealed and site-built portion such as: finished cape cods, rooms over garages, additional living spaces, etc. Certification and a permanent certificate must be completed and posted in or around the electric box before final inspection.
• A duct leakage test is required in new homes where there is duct system in unconditioned space.

FINAL INSPECTION

• Must have passed previous required inspections and/or have third-party inspection reports on file before scheduling.
• To be made after ALL work is completed and required documents have been received.
• Electrical and plumbing have been inspected with stickers onsite.
• Blower door/energy certification posted in or around electric panel.
• Duct blaster certification ONLY if any of duct work is in unconditioned space.
• Rough grade for proper drainage away from structure.
• Gutters and downspouts installed.
• 911 addresses must be posted.
• Attic and crawlspace insulation installed.
• The following documents must be on file BEFORE scheduling final inspection:
• Onsite wastewater/septic completion report (with red stamp) from DNREC
• DelDOT entrance permit when required on new construction
• Final elevation certificate, flood vent certification, FEMA V Zone Certificate, Break Away
• Wall certification by a licensed DE engineer (when in flood zone)
• Lot Grading Certificate (if required)
• Final zoning inspection complete (not required if a Final Survey is provided).

FINAL ZONING INSPECTION

• Scheduled when the final inspection is requested. Exception: Not required if a Final Placement Survey is provided.
• Must be requested for projects only requiring a final inspection such as but not limited to fences, sheds under 400 sq. ft., pools, solar panels, decks under 30” and farm buildings. 

Commercial Inspection Requirements

FOOTING INSPECTION

To be made prior to placing concrete in all footings, trenches, piers, post holes, structural slabs, etc. All reinforcement must be tied and in place. All footings must be free of debris, organic material and water. Concrete shall not be placed on frozen soil. In cold weather pours, insulating or thermal blankets must be onsite to protect from freezing.

PRE-SLAB INSPECTION

Required for all interior slab areas. Perimeter insulation installed prior to pouring slab. Plastic vapor barrier installed and in place. Welded Wire Fabric or Fiber Mesh as per approved plans.

FRAMING INSPECTION

To be made after the roof, all framing, bracing, & draft/fire stopping is in place. All pipes, chimneys/chases, electrical wiring and vents are complete and before any insulation is installed. Framing inspection to be conducted before exterior covering is installed to verify building wrap, door & window flashing is installed properly. Rough electrical and plumbing inspections must be received and approvals must be onsite before scheduling a framing inspection.

ENERGY INSPECTION

Energy compliance form ("Com-Check") must be onsite. Building envelope sealed from all air drafts and insulation properly installed. Thermal stickers for doors and windows must be in place.

FINAL INSPECTION

To be made after the building/project is completed, stocked, and ready for occupancy. Rough grade for proper drainage away from structure with gutters and downspouts installed. Handicap parking space(s) and signage defined and in place. 911 addresses must be posted. All final inspections as required for electrical, plumbing, fire marshal, DelDOT, etc. must be received and approvals must be onsite before scheduling a final inspection.

County-approved plans must be kept on job site for inspector's review to receive an inspection.

Manufactured Home Inspection Requirements

FOOTING INSPECTION

To be made prior to placing concrete in footers and once all reinforcement is tied in place. All footings must be free of debris, organic material and water. Concrete shall not be placed on frozen soil. In cold weather pours, insulating or thermal blankets must be onsite to protect from freezing.

ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS

Required ONLY in Flood Zone (after the footing is poured and before the tie down):

• Pier #1 - Reinforcing bars installed in footing up through block pier set & cores open for inspection
• Pier #2 - Pier cores filled with concrete prior to cap being set
• Pier #3 - Unit set with pier caps on & parged with fiber bonding material

TIE DOWN INSPECTION

To be made prior to the skirting being installed.

FINAL INSPECTION

Final electric and plumbing stickers onsite (this includes electric service and drain only hook ups). Skirting is installed. 911 address is posted and there are stairs in place to access the home.

FINAL ZONING INSPECTION

• Scheduled when the final inspection is requested. Exception: Not required if a Final Placement Survey is provided.
• Must be requested for projects only requiring a final inspection such as but not limited to fences, sheds under 400 sq. ft., pools, solar panels, decks under 30” and farm buildings.